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- BGG #1,258
- BGG rating
- 7.3
Explorers of the North Sea
- 1–4 players
- 45–60 min
- Complexity 2.1/5
- 2016
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- BGG rating
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Plethora
2012
Rules assistance for Plethora
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–4 players
- 60 min
- 8+
- Complexity 2.8/5
For 2 players
Rules assistant for Plethora
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Plethora is a board game released in 2012 for 2–4 players, 60 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by Shem Phillips and its main mechanics are Modular Board, Commodity Speculation, and Pick-up and Deliver.
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About the game
The aim is to have the most nobility points at the game’s end. Players buy nobility cards using gold, which is gained by completing commissions for the city’s nobles. When players visit any of the 3 nobles they are given a rendezvous destination, where they can receive a commission. A commission involves traveling to 1 or more locations and using silver to buy pearl, amber or sapphire gemstones. After delivering the gemstones, they are rewarded with silver (useful for completing further commissions) and gold (for buying nobility cards). The game ends when only 2 nobility cards remain.
Designers
Publishers
- Garphill Games
Questions and answers
Plethora supports 2–4 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Plethora is 60 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Plethora for ages 8 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Plethora has a complexity rating of 2.8 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-light game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
Plethora belongs to these categories: Fantasy, Economic, and Medieval. Its main mechanics are Modular Board, Commodity Speculation, and Pick-up and Deliver. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Plethora are: Shem Phillips. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Plethora as a base game. It can be played on its own with the components in the box and does not require any other title. Expansions, if any exist, add new content or rules on top of it and are listed separately in the catalogue with a link back to this base game.